Trains in Vancouver, Washington in September 2002

I took these pictures at the Amtrak depot in Vancouver, Washington, on September 6, 2002.

First, Amtrak Cascades #466 is a 3,200-horsepower F59PHI that was built in September 1998 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors with final assembly by Super Steel Schenectady of Schenectady, Pennsylvania. It is leading southbound Cascades train #753 into the Vancouver depot. This train was due at Vancouver at 4:47 PM.

Bringing up the rear of Cascades train #753 is Amtrak Cascades #90251, a Non-Powered Cab Unit, or NPCU, which was rebuilt in December 1998 from Amtrak #251, a 3,000-horsepower F40PHR that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in October 1977 using parts from retired Amtrak SDP40F #575.

Leading a westbound train from Portland toward the Columbia River Gorge, Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8088 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Diesel Division of General Motors of Canada, Ltd. in August 1979 as Burlington Northern #8088. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #8088 on April 20, 2001.

Trailing is Burlington Northern Santa Fe #7165 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in May 1979. 

Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #7165 on September 10, 1998.

Switching around the Vancouver depot, Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2087 is a 2,000-horsepower GP38-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in May 1972. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2087 and was repainted into Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on August 16, 2000.

A consist of six BNSF road locomotives idled in the Vancouver yard near the depot. First is Burlington Northern Santa Fe #6841, a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in July 1978 as St. Louis-San Francisco (also known as the Frisco) #951. The Frisco was merged into the Burlington Northern on November 21, 1980, and this locomotive became Burlington Northern #6841. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #6841.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #6341 is a 3,000-horsepower SD40-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in November 1977 as Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #5026. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #6341 on January 10, 1998, and was repainted into Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on February 17, 1999.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #780 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in September 1997.

Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #639 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in February 1994.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #4551 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in September 1999.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #989 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in August 1996.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2733 is a 2,000-horsepower GP39-2 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in April 1981 as Burlington Northern #2733. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #2733 and was repainted into Burlington Northern Santa Fe's "Heritage I" paint scheme on May 31, 2000.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3623 is a 1,000-horsepower SW1000 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in January 1971 as Burlington Northern #430 and classified as an SW10. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 22, 1995, this locomotive became Burlington Northern Santa Fe #3623 on October 5, 1998.

Here is another view of Burlington Northern Santa Fe #989 as the consist moved around the Vancouver yard.

This additional view of Burlington Northern Santa Fe #6341 clearly shows the 123” “Snoot Nose” low short hood of this former Santa Fe unit. Santa Fe had 40 SD40-2s built with 123” low short hoods to contain radio equipment for Locotrol, a remote-control system for mid-train and rear helper locomotives. On the Santa Fe’s 40 equipped units, the even numbered units were “masters,” while the odd numbered units were “remotes.”

Amtrak #45 is a 4,250-horsepower P42DC that was built by General Electric in January 1997. It is leading the northbound Coast Starlight, train #14, into Vancouver. The Coast Starlight was due into Vancouver at 4:23 PM, before Cascades train #753, but was apparently running late.

Trailing behind Amtrak P42DC #45 was an Amtrak F59PHI painted in Pacific Surfliner colors. The Pacific Surfliner service was established in 2000 between San Luis Obispo and San Diego, California, replacing the San Diegan service. A total of 15 of these 3,200-horsepower F59PHIs numbered 450 to 465 were built for Pacific Surfliner service in 1998 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors with final assembly by Super Steel Schenectady of Schenectady, Pennsylvania. Aside from the paint scheme, they were identical to the Cascades F59PHI locomotives numbered 466 to 470. All of Amtrak’s F59PHIs were maintained in Los Angeles. When the Cascades F59PHIs needed major maintenance, they had to be transported to Los Angeles via the Coast Starlight. This Pacific Surfliner F59PHI may have been being transferred to the Pacific Northwest to fill in for a Cascades unit in need of maintenance in Los Angeles.

This Burlington Northern Santa Fe Police Ford Explorer was stationed near the Amtrak depot. In an interesting coincidence, the officer driving this vehicle was the husband of my Spanish teacher from my Junior year of high school.

Amtrak #161 is a 4,250-horsepower P42DC that was built by General Electric in May 2001. It is leading eastbound train #8, the Portland Section of the Empire Builder, into Vancouver. It was due into Vancouver at 5:07 PM. I would board this train for Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Trains in Vancouver, Washington, in February 2001

I took these pictures at the Amtrak depot in Vancouver, Washington, in February of 2001. First, leading a southbound freight train, is Union Pacific #9668, a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in April 1994 as Chicago & North Western #8699. Following the merger of the C&NW into the Union Pacific on April 25, 1995, it became Union Pacific #9668 on June 16, 1995. This was the first former Chicago & North Western locomotive to be renumbered and repainted for Union Pacific. Since then, it had received an air conditioner from an unrepainted C&NW locomotive.

Parked in the diesel servicing area near the Amtrak depot, Burlington Northern #3128 is a 3,500-horsepower GP50 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in August 1985. Since the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe on September 12, 1995, to form Burlington Northern Santa Fe, this locomotive has had its headlight lowered into the nose following Santa Fe practice.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe #4304 is a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in January 1999. Here it is arriving with an eastbound freight train bound for Portland with its nose door opened.

Naturally, after I took the picture, a member of the train crew closed the door.

The second unit in this consist was Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe #630, a 4,400-horsepower Dash 9-44CW that was built by General Electric in February 1994.

Arriving with southbound Amtrak Cascades Train #753 is Amtrak Cascades NPCU #90250, a Non-Powered Cab Unit, or NPCU, which was rebuilt in February 2000 from Amtrak #250, a 3,000-horsepower F40PHR that was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1977 using parts from retired Amtrak SDP40F #560.

Bringing up the rear of Train #753 is Amtrak Cascades #468, a 3,200-horsepower F59PHI that was built in October 1998 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors with final assembly by Super Steel Schenectady of Schenectady, Pennsylvania.

Leading Amtrak's eastbound Train #28, the Portland section of the Empire Builder, is Amtrak #133, a 4,250-horsepower P42DC that was built by General Electric in December 2000.

This was one of Amtrak's newest locomotives, being only about 2 months old.

The Portland section of the Empire Builder had previously been pulled by a pair of 3,000-horsepower EMD F40PH locomotives, but a single P42DC could handle the train by itself.

This locomotive was painted in Amtrak's new Acela-inspired Phase V paint scheme. Amtrak #133 was one of the first to wear this scheme; the P42DCs began receiving it with #123.

Trains in Vancouver on July 23, 1999

I took these pictures at the Amtrak station in Vancouver, Washington, on July 23, 1999, while waiting to catch the eastbound Empire Builder to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering's summer program. First was this southbound Amtrak Cascades Train #753, led by Amtrak Cascades #90253, a Non-Powered Cab Unit, or NPCU, which had been recently rebuilt in January 1999 from Amtrak #253, a 3,000-horsepower F40PHR that was originally built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in 1977 using parts from retired Amtrak SDP40F #574. This was the first NPCU I had an opportunity to photograph; they had been added after the Amtrak Cascades service was inaugurated in January 1999.

In the middle of the motive power consist of a Union Pacific freight train was Union Pacific #5964, a 3,800-horsepower SD60 that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in October 1986 as Chicago & North Western #8043. Chicago & North Western SD60s #8001-8055 came from a canceled order by the Soo Line, and were built to Soo Line specifications. Following the merger of the Chicago & North Western into the Union Pacific on April 24, 1995, this locomotive became Union Pacific #5964 on November 14, 1996, and was repainted into Union Pacific colors with the short-lived "We will deliver" slogan that was only applied during 1996.

Leading the eastbound Portland section of the Empire Builder is Amtrak #322, a 3,000-horsepower F40PHR that was built by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors in September 1979 using parts from retired Amtrak SDP40F #608. I boarded this train for my trip east to Milwaukee.

Amtrak Cascades Talgo Tour at National Train Day 2010

I originally posted this on my old website on the PORTLAND PLACES: Portland Union Station page on May 16, 2010.

Continued from BNSF Railway ES44DC #7400…

Amtrak Cascades NPCU #90251 on May 8, 2010

Amtrak NPCU #90251 was on display with a Cascades Talgo train used between Eugene, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Amtrak P42DC #144 on May 8, 2010

At the other end was P42DC #144, filling in for one of the Cascades F59PHIs. The train was open for visitors during its layover, until it had to be readied for its scheduled departure.

Amtrak Cascades Coach Class on May 8, 2010

These pictures are from the Coach Class section of the Cascades train.

Amtrak Cascades Coach Class on May 8, 2010

The Coach Class section was recently remodeled with leather seating and a new color scheme.

Amtrak Cascades Bistro Car on May 8, 2010

This is the Bistro Car, which offers all of the train's food service.

Amtrak Cascades Bistro Car on May 8, 2010

The Bistro Car has a limited amount of seating around the bar area, and a map of the route on the ceiling.

Amtrak Cascades Bistro Car on May 8, 2010

The Bistro Car also includes the kitchen for the dining car.

Amtrak Cascades Dining Car on May 8, 2010

The Bistro Car connects directly to the Dining Car, which features additional table seating. Interestingly, the seats in the dining car fold up. Renovations of both the Bistro Car and the Dining Car are planned.

Amtrak Cascades Business Class on May 8, 2010

Here is the Business Class section of the Cascades Train, which was also recently remodeled with leather seating and new colors.

Continue to Conclusion…

4449 Heads East for Train Festival 2009: Back Home at Portland Union Station

…Continued from Skytop Observation Lounge #186 Cedar Rapids.

Colonial Crafts in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

Here is an Amtrak Cascades NPCU sitting with Colonial Crafts in Pennsylvania Railroad colors on an adjacent track in the background... an interesting juxtaposition of old and new, and of east coast and west coast.

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 is parked under the high shed on Track 4  as passengers get off and take pictures.

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

An Amtrak Cascades F59PHI is parked on Track 2, creating another juxtaposition of old and new.

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

Here is the train crew posing with #4449 at Union Station.

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

After all the passengers had disembarked, #4449, Amtrak P42DC #170 and baggage car DLMX #5659 Gordon N. Zimmerman were uncoupled from the rest of the train and pulled forward until they were out from under the high shed. The Gordon N. Zimmerman was then uncoupled from the locomotives.

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

DLMX #4219 in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

Here is a view of #4449's auxiliary water tender, DLMX #4219, which was originally the tender to Southern Pacific AC-10 class 4-8-8-2 Cab Forward steam locomotive #4219. It was later used as a tender for a rotary snow plow and as a water car for fire service. This rare view shows the top of the tender.

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 pulled forward with Amtrak #170 in order to leave the Amtrak diesel on another track before picking up the Gordon N. Zimmerman and returning home to the Brooklyn Roundhouse.

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

Amtrak P42DC #170 in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

Amtrak #170 is a General Electric P42DC built in May 2001. On this trip it probably provided mainly dynamic braking and head-end power capabilities.

Amtrak P42DC #170 in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 backed in to Track 3 where it uncoupled from Amtrak #170 and left the Amtrak diesel behind.

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 at Union Station in Portland, Oregon on October 20, 2009

#4449 then pulled out out of Track 3 and then backed into Track 4 to couple to the Gordon N. Zimmerman again for the trip back to the Brooklyn Roundhouse.

DLMX #5659 in Portland, Oregon on December 6, 2008

DLMX #5659, the Gordon N. Zimmerman, (pictured here during Holiday Express 2008, as by the time #4449 pulled out it was too dark for pictures) was built by American Car & Foundry in April, 1954 as Union Pacific Baggage Car #5659. It was renumbered to UP #24427 in April 1969 and to UP Maintenance of Way #904227 in 1975. It was purchased from Union Pacific by the Friends of SP #4449 in July, 1997. It initially operated without paint and wore the name Better Idea. It was later painted in Daylight colors and renamed Gordon N. Zimmerman, after a crew member who has been an active volunteer co-coordinating and selling souvenirs on every SP #4449 trip since 1981 and helping to restore 1937 Daylight car SP #3300, former UP mail car #5811, now #4449's tool car and #2901 Clackamas River, #4449's crew sleeper. The Gordon N. Zimmerman made its debut with #4449 at the ArTrain display in Hillsboro from June 29 to July 4, 2002.

Continue to Private Cars leave Portland on October 21, 2009…